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Welcome to the 1930's!
The novel, Water for Elephants takes place in the time period of the 1930's. In this era America was at the height of The Great Depression, people had little to no food and money was tight. Although this was a dark time for Americans going to see the circus brought joy and hope to people's lives. The circus allowed people to forget about their current situation and relax. America was not only at the height of The Great Depression but also in the midst of Prohibition. Prohibition made drinking alcohol illegal but people found ways to get their hands on bottles of whatever they could including moonshine and gross liquors sold at black markets. The alcohol allowed people to temporarily escape from their problems but the circus was a more desired escape.
The novel, Water for Elephants takes place in the time period of the 1930's. In this era America was at the height of The Great Depression, people had little to no food and money was tight. Although this was a dark time for Americans going to see the circus brought joy and hope to people's lives. The circus allowed people to forget about their current situation and relax. America was not only at the height of The Great Depression but also in the midst of Prohibition. Prohibition made drinking alcohol illegal but people found ways to get their hands on bottles of whatever they could including moonshine and gross liquors sold at black markets. The alcohol allowed people to temporarily escape from their problems but the circus was a more desired escape.
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Cornell University
Cornell University is where readers first meet Jacob. He is in his final year studying to be a veterinarian and is preparing to take his final exam. Right before Jacob begins to write his exam he is interrupted by police and is given the news of his parents death. Jacob is unable to write his exam as he must identify his parents bodies. Jacob feels lost and wanders off never returning to Cornell or finishing his final exam.
Cornell University is where readers first meet Jacob. He is in his final year studying to be a veterinarian and is preparing to take his final exam. Right before Jacob begins to write his exam he is interrupted by police and is given the news of his parents death. Jacob is unable to write his exam as he must identify his parents bodies. Jacob feels lost and wanders off never returning to Cornell or finishing his final exam.
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The Benzini Brother's Most Spectacular Show on Earth!
The Benzini Brother's Most Spectacular Show on Earth is a traveling circus, home for many and where majority of the novel takes place. In the beginning of the novel, Jacob spontaneously jumps aboard the traveling circus in an attempted to leave his crumbling old life. Here, Jacob is promised a life full of adventure, love and opportunities. Jacob meets a number of people that he forms friendships with, some he cannot stand and other who he can't help but fall in love with. HIs journey with the circus teaches him that the circus life is completely different of than what it is said to be. Jacob's new life with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth teaches him how to be independent, courageous and open to try new things.
The Benzini Brother's Most Spectacular Show on Earth is a traveling circus, home for many and where majority of the novel takes place. In the beginning of the novel, Jacob spontaneously jumps aboard the traveling circus in an attempted to leave his crumbling old life. Here, Jacob is promised a life full of adventure, love and opportunities. Jacob meets a number of people that he forms friendships with, some he cannot stand and other who he can't help but fall in love with. HIs journey with the circus teaches him that the circus life is completely different of than what it is said to be. Jacob's new life with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth teaches him how to be independent, courageous and open to try new things.
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Nursing Home
At age 93, Jacob lives in a nursing home with his fellow tenants. Although Jacob has the opportunity to meet new people he tends to keep to himself. Jacob is different from the rest of the seniors at the nursing home, Jacob has the heart, passion and love for the circus unlike no one else. Here, he spends most of his time with Rosemary, his favourite nurse. She's the only person who doesn't let his age define him. One day an argument between Jacob and McGuinty broke out which lead him to relive his journey with the circus.
At age 93, Jacob lives in a nursing home with his fellow tenants. Although Jacob has the opportunity to meet new people he tends to keep to himself. Jacob is different from the rest of the seniors at the nursing home, Jacob has the heart, passion and love for the circus unlike no one else. Here, he spends most of his time with Rosemary, his favourite nurse. She's the only person who doesn't let his age define him. One day an argument between Jacob and McGuinty broke out which lead him to relive his journey with the circus.